Bishops’ Style Under Scrutiny

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 15

Bishops’ Style Under Scrutiny

(N. Z.P.A. -Reuter— Copyright)

LONDON, August 21.

Bishops of the Anglican Church from all over the world agreed today to take a radical look at their style of living and the honours paid to them.

“It is important to distinguish between glory given to God and glory given to bishops,” the Rt Rev. Neil Russell, Assistant Bishop of Zanzibar, told the Lambeth Conference.

Bishop Ralph Dean, of Cariboo, Canada, said he did not allow people to call him “my lord.” “If they see me in the street and say ‘How d’you do, bish?’ that’s all right," he said.

Only two prelates opposed Bishop Russell’s motion that bishops “should radically examine the honours paid to them in the course of divine

worship, in titles and customary address, and in style of living.” Bishop Russell said: “Treating bishops as princes of the Church causes public incredulity towards their claim of being the servants of God.

. . . Even Jesus Christ forbade the title of ‘master*.” The motion was seconded by the Rt Rev. Trevor Huddleston, Bishop of Masosi, Tanzania. Bishop Dean, who is also episcopal secretary to the conference, said he found titles embarrassing and urged bishops to adopt as simple a style of life as possible.